The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-09-28
QUAINT OLD TREATY..
An Indian Chiefs Present to the Governor
of Nebraska.

An Indian Chiefs Present to the Governor
of Nebraska.
Three stalwart Indians clad in heavy |
wooden blankets, cast off tiles, and
with the smell of last years teree
upon their garments, invaded the
second story of the capitol building,
and approached the open door to the !
Executive Department. For some
reason every reservation Indian in Ne
braska has taken great liking to Gov
ernor Thayer, and the venerable APP
pearance of the Governor has undoubt-
cdly inspired the children OF nature
with the impression that he IS the
greatest chief that has ever held coun-
Gil in the State, and each band OF
travelling red men who come and sit
upon the body brussels of the Execu-
tive office, undoubtedly return to their
homes with mplimentary reference
to the great chief, that Immediately
starts others on pilgrimage. The
Governor has treated all these native
visitors in the kindest manner, rs is his
custom with all visitors, and it has
brought them out in force. Some days
the reception room has appeared like
council of war, dozen hearty bucks
being seated on the floor, and they never
make their visits short, for begging is
generally good about the State House.
There is smell that fingers for days
after visit from delegation, and it
requires the utmost vigilance of Cap
tain Hill to get the rooms aired for the
next delegation. The three who ar
rived the other day were OF more than
usual note, as ignorant of English as
the widest, and the chief drew from
the breast pocket of his coat--an
ancient broadcloth that had done
society work in Omaha well-worn
envelope that held an equally we'll
worn parchment, which, upon being
unfo!ded. proved to be the written
treaty made between the Government
and the Omaha Indians in 1925.
While the braves, disdaining the chairs
proffered, seated themselves upon the
floor, the newspaper men present ex-
amined the faded parchment, and it
proved to be the original document well
preserved for sixty odd years. A note
to the Governor explained to that
official that the chief wanted it copied,
as it was worn so badly. and after
many gyrations and gesticulations, the
braves were made to understand that
it would be done and that they should
return on the following day. The
treaty is an interesting one
historically and remarkably well
preserved. 1t was made at Fort
Atkinson and bore date of attestation.
October 6, 1925. This Fort Atkinson
was at the point afterward designated
as Fort Calhoun, in Washington
County. The treaty, after reciting in
u long preamble the mutual admira-
ton each race had for the other, stipu-
lated in detail what each party to the
agreement should do. The white men
were to establish trading post, to as
sist them in protection from native
enemies, and the Indians were to re.
irain from numerous depredations. the
principal of which seemed to be horse
stealing On the part of the Govern
ment the treaty was signed by Briga-
dier-General Atkinson and Benjamin
o. Fulton, adjutant Michael Burdeat
made his mark as interpreter, and :
long row of the names of chiefs with thu
meanings of their names followed
Some of these names and meanings are
worth reproduction. For example
Opatoga, the big elk; Ohoshingo, tn
man that cooks little in small kettle
Shongisca, the white horse; Tarvettee
the side of buffalo, Mohpemanee, tn
man that lays on his arrows few, tn
number that pierce him. The oil
document would make a valuable ad
dtion to relics for the State Historical
Society. Lincoln (Neb) Letter.